6 Microcars For 2007

5 - Ford SportKa SE

Wheelbase: 96.4”Length/ Width: 143.8”/ 65.2”

The bad boy of Ford's UK lineup, the SportKa SE is a micro muscle car. OK, maybe the 1.6-liter four-cylinder in-line isn't exactly a Hemi or a big-block V8 engine, but the SportKa's 94 horsepower is enough to power a 9.7 second 0-62 mph. If you still need to be impressed, 37.2 mpg means you'll have plenty of time between fuel stops to burn rubber on the sporty 16-inch alloy wheels. And a stiff, sport-tuned suspension will keep the SportKa well planted through the twisties.

To capture a raw performance feel, the SportKa is outfitted with bolstered, sporty front passenger and driver seats in two-tone leather trim. Final touches on Ford's microcar include an aluminum shifter knob and a contemporary black-on-white gauge cluster. The SportKa pushes the microcar fashion boundaries, but manages to pull off the look quite nicely.

6 - Tango T600

Wheelbase: N/ALength/ Width: 101”/ 39”

It takes two to tango, and in this two-seater commuter car that saying comes to life. With a slimline exterior design and a width nearly half that of other microcars on the road, the Tango makes the Smart Fortwo look conventional. Two passengers can ride in tandem on Sparco Roadster bucket seats secured with four-point safety harnesses. Manufacturers of the Tango (which happens to be George Clooney's microcar of choice) use a melange of carbon fiber, Kevlar and fiberglass materials to construct the unique body panels assembled on top of a stainless steel frame.

There are plenty of reasons why the prospect of this microcar should be electrifying. Using two electric motors the Tango reaches 60 mph in an impressive 3.9 seconds and can reach a top speed of 150 mph. The available Ni-MH batteries can last for 160 miles before needing a simple 10-minute charge. Here’s a futuristic-looking, environmentally friendly electric car that packs quite a punch in a straight line, so why aren’t there more of them on the road? The $108,000 USD price may have something to do with its scarcity.

size doesn't matter

With names like Tango, Aygo and Panda, it may be very difficult to take these microcars seriously. If for no other reason than our erratic gas prices, however, microcars deserve serious consumer consideration. Your wallet and the environment will thank you for your petite purchase. And remember, it’s the little things that count.